WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Navy SEAL who wrote an account of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden under a pseudonym was identified Thursday as Matt Bissonnette, who retired from the Navy last summer.Bissonnette was first identified by Fox News. One current and one former U.S. military official confirmed the name, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss military personnel matters.The book, "No Easy Day," is scheduled to be released Sept. 11, with the author listed under the pseudonym of Mark Owen. Penguin Group (USA)'s Dutton imprint, the publisher, asked news organizations Thursday to withhold his identity."Sharing the true story of his personal experience in `No Easy Day' is a courageous act in the face of obvious risks to his personal security," said a statement by Christine Ball, Penguin Group spokeswoman. "That personal security is the sole reason the book is being published under a pseudonym."Special Operations Command spokesman Col. Tim Nye said the retired SEAL could be endangered by being identified, which could also expose those active-duty SEALs the author worked with in the killing of bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan last year.The book and the author's name also come out during a time of debate over the possible damage to U.S. national security by leaks in the media about top secret operations. Yet the book also comes at a time when special operations forces are prominently featured in the media as never before, even as the elite organizations demand secrecy.

Karma in its truest form if you look at it first. First off the author decided he would tell his story and make some money in the process even though SEALS swear a oath to secrecy. Then you have the media who wouldn't think twice about endangering a man safety just to make a buck by fighting over who can dig up the most juicy details about something. Both parties in this instance have blame to share for their disregards. Just goes to show what kind of crappy world we live in today.

Wow. Talk about a completely stupid move on Fox's part. I'm sure there a plenty of fellows over in the Middle East who weren't all too happy with what went down, and I'm sure they'd like nothing more than to get there own back.

I see that as a strategic move by Fox News to try to move the glory Obama could gain from the Bin Laden killing to the actual members of the commando. They have been doing that for several months.
Well, Obama did decide on the method of the raid and order its execution and that cannot be taken away from him.

Now, regarding the author of the book, I fear for him and his family. In the smear campaign Fox News is doing against Obama, I think they have gone too far and have greatly endangered innocent people.
Side question: why would naval officers confirm the identity of a retired SEAL? Should they know better that operatives identities are to be preserved?

I see that as a strategic move by Fox News to try to move the glory Obama could gain from the Bin Laden killing to the actual members of the commando. They have been doing that for several months.Well, Obama did decide on the method of the raid and order its execution and that cannot be taken away from him.

Now, regarding the author of the book, I fear for him and his family. In the smear campaign Fox News is doing against Obama, I think they have gone too far and have greatly endangered innocent people.Side question: why would naval officers confirm the identity of a retired SEAL? Should they know better that operatives identities are to be preserved?

So you potentially out SEALS (like Chaney did when he outed a CIA agent) and put them in danger, to what, score political points? And they say they are for the troops. FOX should have their license revoked.

Guy did this because he wanted:
- To make a buck.
- His 15 minutes of fame.

Come on, now. He lives in the U.S.A., is a former SEAL, and understands that what he is doing is against Special Forces principle.
What could the publishing of this book, at this time, hope to accomplish?

And people are surprised he was outed?

Fox's bean counters are probably tossing Chardonnay in the presidential suite at Trump Towers, while you poor sods are trying to garner bus fare.

The way I look at it, there are indeed some things that need to be kept secret. As I've said before, no one needs the nuclear launch codes, or in this case, the name of someone who's life could be endangered should they be identified. There's no need for the public to know those things.

On the other hand, there are reasons for the details around events and programs to be revealed, in almost every case. When they are covered up it tends to be in order to cover someone's ass. I'm not saying that's what happened here, just generally speaking. But I kind of do think it might not be a bad thing for him to write an account of what went down, changing names and certain details for the purpose of protecting people. I can see his perspective of the story being of use to historians, so I think it's worth doing, regardless of his initial motivations.